Flavors of Tuscany – Departures from Rome

Pickup at the hotel from 7.30am to 7.45am. Meet your multilingual tour leader and start a delightful trip through the rolling hills of the Chianti Region. Will reach the hilltop town of MONTEPULCIANO, an ancient village rich of medieval and Renaissance buildings, famous for producing one of the oldest wines of Italy, the “Nobile di Montepulciano”. You will stop for a visit to a wine cellar and experience a tasting of wines and local products like ham, cheese, and salami. Proceed to PIENZA, the Renaissance town built under Pope Pius II and alsowell-known for its pecorino cheese. The tour will proceed to SIENA, where you will enjoy a visit of the old city centre. You will be walking along the medieval streets admiring splendid palaces. The sightseeing tour will end in the Piazza del Campo with its spectacular Cathedral. This is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and site of the famous 600 years old horse-race, called “Il Palio”. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals: D

After breakfast at the hotel, departure to SAN GIMIGNANO, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries; situated on a hilltop and famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures. You will then proceed to Tavernelle Val di Pesa located within the CHIANTI CLASSICO “Gallo Nero” region, where we will make a stop at the farmhouse LA TANCIA to enjoy an excellent wine tasting with light lunch. The tour continues onto LUCCA, where you will have free time for lunch. Our expert tour leader will also take you for a pleasant walk into the enchanting historical centre, where you will admire the Anfiteatro Square, the Guinigi Tower, the San Martino Dome and the typical antique shops. In the early afternoon, you will then proceed to PISA, Upon arrival you will have a walking tour of the Piazza dei Miracoli, with its famous Leaning Tower (exterior visit),The Baptistery (exterior visit) and other beautiful monuments. Proceed to LA SPEZIA. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals: B D

After breakfast, departure by boat for an unforgettable day dedicated to the discovery of one of the most amazing and enchanting landscape in the World. The five villages, “CINQUE TERRE” is an area suspended between sea and land, hanging from sheer cliffs surrounded by hills and vineyards. You will enter into a little piece of heaven. By touring the coast line by boat, you will have the possibility to admire this amazing landscape from the seaside (the visit will be done partly by coach and partly by train.), like in a postcard.
During the tour, the boat will reach Portovenere and the most important villages. You will be able to stop at PORTO VENERE, VERNAZZA, MONTEROSSO and visit them at leisure.
PORTOVENERE on the Gulf of Poets, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its picturesque harbor is lined with brightly colored houses, while narrow medieval streets lined with shops lead up the hill from the ancient city gate to the castle.
RIOMAGGIORE: Caught between two steep terraced hills descending in steep cliffs to the sea, the ancient village of Riomaggiore strikes visitors with its delightfully colored houses built vertically.
MANAROLA: Built on a high rock 70 metres above sea level, is one of the most charming and romantic villages. The tiny harbor features a boat ramp, picturesque multicoloured houses facing the sea, a tiny piazza with seafood restaurants.
CORNIGLIA: is an ancient Roman village that has a long and rich agricultural tradition. The village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces. Its architecture is closer to that of a rural inland village than that of a coastal village.
VERNAZZA: The small fishing village Vernazza is probably the most characteristic of the Cinque Terre and is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The village is surrounded by very steeply-terraced olive groves which are said to produce among the finest olive oil in the country.
MONTEROSSO: It is the largest of the five coastal villages. Its amazing beaches, its beautiful reefs and the sea’s crystal clear waters, make this small village one of the most hospitable of the Ligurian Riviera.
board the train from Monterosso and arrive in La Spezia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Meals: B D

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour will take you to CARRARA for a visit of the impressive marble quarries carved deep into the mountain. This is where Michelangelo took the raw material to create his superb masterpieces. By visiting the quarry museum you will admire ancient tools, some sculptures and the quarryman’s house. Continue to MONTECARLO DI LUCCA, a lovely town located on the hills around Lucca. This territory is ideal for the production of top quality wine and extra virgin olive oil. We will stop and visit a farmhouse where the owners will have you taste delicious Tuscan food specialities, from olive oil to cheese, from bread to wine and of course pasta, which you will taste with different wines. Proceed to Rome and arrival in the evening. Overnight at the hotel. Dinner is not included.
Meals: B